Dry shaving device



Sept. l5, 1942.

E. C. McCLURE DRY sHAvING' DEVICE Filed April '7, 1939.

3' Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig;4 6.

Attorney Patented Septr 15, 1942 DRY SHAVING DEVICE Ernest Charles McClure, Wahroonga, New 4South Wales, Australia, asslgnor Products Ltd., The Hyde, London,

Application April 7, 1

to Ever-'Ready Razor f England 939, Serial No. 266,447

In Great Britain January 5, 1939 (Cl. sti- 43) 17 Claims.

In one of its aspects, this invent-ion relates to that type of appliance generally referred to as a dry shaver in which relative movement of the cutting edges is effected without the use of a motor and by and as the appliance is moved over the surface of the face. In another of its aspects this invention relates to a novel arrangement for maintaining contact between the relatively movable cutting edges of a dry shaving instrument. I

In its first mentioned aspect, my invention contemplates an instrument in which the face engaging member takes the form of a cylindrical element mounted for free rotation and therefore free to rotate by traction as the instrument is moved across the face and having areas removedas by perforations to providelt with one or more cutting edges, and a second member which is held against rotation and is provided with one or more cutting edges engaging with the inner surface of the cylindrical element whereby as the instrument is moved across the face, the cylindrical element will rotate freely by traction and a hair entered through a perforation in the cylindrical element will be cut upon relative movement of the cylindrical element and the cutting edges effected by and as the instrument is moved across the face.'

In this type of instrument it is desirable that the outer cylindrical member be made relatively thin, in fact as thin as practicable,'-reecting manufacturing requirements, eifectiveness in use and durability. It is necessary that close contact be had between the cutting edge v(or edges) of the inner cutting member and that portion of the inner surface of the cylinder in engagement with the face, as otherwise there will be a tendency for the hairs to be pulled. In the illustrated embodiment I show a preferred arrangement whereby a contact is attained and maintained which is slight. This arrangement comprises supporting the blade sov that it is free to swing about an axis located to the rear of the line along the inner surface of the cylinder and as an ancillary feature a member yieldably engaging the blade so as to position its edge in proximity to the inner surface of the cylindrical element so that only a slight rubbing contact with the inside of the cylinder is effected during the cutting operation.

It is the Vgeneral object of my invention to p rovide a simple, inexpensive and effective dry shaving instrument which requires no experience or skill to operate. y

ness in practice.

In order to enable the invention to be fully understood one construction according thereto will now be described with reference to the accompanyngv drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates according to the invention plctorially,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section of i the device, the scale being about four times full size,

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line III-III of Figure 2, the scale in this case being eight times full size, but `showing a modication including a second set of blades;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the perforated cylinder,

Figure 5` is a perspective view of the blade carrier and blades, and

Figure 6 shows one of the blades. i

In the construction illustrated in the drawings the device comprises an exterior hollow cylinder I made of a high grade steel of the kind employed in the manufacture of edge tools. The walls of this cylinder are verythin, that is to say, as thin as permitted by strength and manufacturing considerations, for example from .002 to .004", .003" being a convenient thick- The walls of the cylinder are perforated with smallholes 2 dimensioned and spac'ed preferably as follows: the diameter oi these holes is about .02" and the holes are spaced apart .05" around the cylinder and the adjacent rows of holes running round the cylinder are staggered. The spacing of the holes along the length of the cylinder is also .05.

One end of the cylinder is shown as permanently closed by a dished cap 3, and the other end as provided with a removable cap 4. Located within the cylinder is a blade carrier comprising two end bosses 5, 5a, connected by a shaft 6 to which they are secured as by set screws 5b. Each of the bosses has a'flange 1, 1a, andy these flanges are of the same diameter as the internal diameter of the cylinder l, so that the blade carrier can which the cuttingedge engageswith L be pushed into the cylindenafter which the removable cap v4 isl pushed on to the endof the cylinder, the assembly being held in place by screws 8 passing through fork arms 9 of a handle I0 and entering screw threaded holes in extensions Il of the blade carrier.

In order to maintain the blade carrier in a predetermined relation tothe handle one arm 9 of the latter is provided with a projection I2 engaging a recess I3 in one of the 'extensions I'I of theblade carrier. i Y n By means of the construction just described the dry shaving device the cylinder I is free to rotate relatively to the blade carrier 5, 6 and the handle I0.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings the blade carrier carries six blades I4, although this number may vary, these blades being mounted in the blade carrier with the relationship to the handle I as shown in Figure 3. .Each blade is of the form shown in Figure 6 and comprises a portion having a cutting edge Ila and two trunnions I5 one at each end, these trunnions engaging in holes I6 formed in the flanges 1 of the blade carrier (see Figure 2). It will be observed from the drawings that each blade has its trunnions I5 received in the holes I6, along a line which is inwardly of the surface of the cylinder and to the rear of the line of contact therewith of the blade edge, with reference to the relative direction of motion of said edge during its hair cutting performance.

In order to insert the blades the set screws 5b are loosened and the bosses 5, 5a are moved apart along the shaft 6. The blades are then inserted and the bosses 5, 5a moved towards one another until they are at the required spacing to retain the blades.

In order/to/ maintain the blades in contact with the internal surface of the cylinder I, each blade is'provided with a pair of leaf springs II xed in corresponding radial slots in the portions 5, 5a of the carrier as shown in Figures 2- and. 3.

The cutting edges Ila of the blades are disposed so as to make slight rubbing contact with the inside of the cylinder I so that as the cylinder is rotated by being passed over the face the hairs entering the perforations 2 therein are sheared oir by the action of the perforations passing across the cutting edge of one or other `of the blades Il.

As shown in the drawings each end of the cylinder is provided with a band I8 of rubber or like friction material which increases the grip of the cylinder on the face. It may be pointed out that when such bands are employed the peripheral speed of the portion of the cylinder which -is of smallersdiameter, that is to say, the portion between the two bands will be less than the peripheralspeed of the bands themselves which are in contact with the face. Nevertheless the pressure of the device on the face will cause the central perforated portion of the cylinder to be in contact with the face, and, since the peripheral speed of the central portion of reduced diameter is less than'that of the two bands which by contact with the face are causing rotation of the cylinder, the central portion will slip over the face to an extent proportional to the difference in diameters and this slipping action will effect a combing of the hairs and facilitate their entry into the perforations.

From the foregoing it will be seen that 4in constructions of dry shaving devices according to the invention no motive power is required other than the friction of the cylinder I on the face of the user which is suiicient to cause the cylinder to rotate relatively to the blades I 4.

The handle I0 is so positioned relatively to the blades that when holding the handle in a position convenient to the user, for example a vertical position,l the blades are adjacent to the face of the user, although of course they are prevented from coming into direct contact therewith by the perforated cylinder which encloses them.

In the construction shown in the drawings the blades I4 are arranged with respect to th handle III so that the device will cut when moved over the face in the direction of the arrow A in yFigure 3. By reversing the inclination of the blades the device may be made to cut when moved in a direction opposite from that of the arrow A. Further by providing a second set of blades I4 on the opposite side of the centre line from the ,blades I4 the device may be used to cut when moved in either direction.

In a modified f orm of the invention the closure discs for the ends of the perforated cylinder may be formed with cam surfaces on their inside faces, these cam surfaces engaging with pins projecting from the bosses 5 and 5a. of the blade carrier so as to cause a slight longitudinal reciprocation of the blade carrier as the cylinder rotates. In such constructions the shaft 6 would be mounted for reciprocation while being prevented from rotation.

I claim:

1. A dry shaver comprising a frame, a hollow cylindrical face engaging member mounted on said frame for free' rotation about the axis 'of the cylinder whereby it will be rotated by traction as the frame is moved across the face said cylindrical member having an opening therein providing a cutting edge, a second member provided with a cutting edge, means ,for pivotally supporting said second member from the frame so that its cutting edge is free to swing into contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical member, and means for maintaining the edge swung about its pivot to a position of close ad- ,jacency to the inner surface of the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member being free to rotate relatively to said second member and its cutting edge and said second member being held to the frame, whereby a relative movement will be effected between the aforementioned cutting edges by traction as the frame is moved across l and in engagement with the face.

2. In a dry shaver, a frame a hollow cylindri-v cal face engaging member mounted for free rotation on said frameso as to be' rotatable by traction as the frame is moved across the face, said member having openings therein so as to provide cutting edges, a second member provided With a cutting edge adapted to engage with the inner surface of said cylindrical member, means on the frame for pivotally supporting said second member for swinging about an axis to the rear of the line of contact of said cutting edge with the inner surface of said cylindrical member,.whereby as the instrument is moved across the face, a hair entered into the opening in said cylindrical member will be cut upon relative movement of the cylindrical member to said second member effected by movement of the instrument across the face.

3. In a dry shaver, a frame, a hollow cylindrical face engaging member mounted for free rotation on said frame so as to be rotatable by traction as the frame is moved across the face, said member having openings therein so as to provide cutting edges, a second member provided with a cutting edge engaging with the inner surface of said cylindrical member, a pivotal mounting on said frame for said second member whereby it is pivotable about an axis to the rear of the line of contact of said cutting edge with the inner surface of said cylindrical member, whereby as the instrument is moved across the face a hair entering the opening in said cylindrical member will be cut upon relative movement of the cylindrical said first cutting blade and thereto, but directed oppositely thereto.

6. A dryl shaving device comprising inhcom- 30 member to said second member effected by movement of the instrument'across the face. 4. In a shaving appliance, an inner member,

` la cutter in the form of a hollow thin-'walled drum tion a' frame, a hollovlrl cylinder freely rotatable on said frame, the walls of said cylinder being thin and provided with small perforations, a plurality of cutting blades pivotally carried by said frame,

adapted to be rolled over a surface to be shaved 5 spring means cooperating with each blade to hold and mounted for free rotation relatively to said v inner member, and'said drum being perforated providing cutting 'edges on the inner surface thereof, a cutting blade mounted for pivotal movement on said inner member, and resilient means having a portion resting on said inner member and 'adapted to maintain said cutting biadein v cutting relation with the cuttingedges on the inner wall-of 'said drum.

5. A shaving appliance vcomprising an `inner member, a cutter, in the form of ahollow thinwalled drum adapted to be rolled over a surface to be-shaved and mounted for free rotation. relatively to said inner member, and the walls of said drum being perforated, a cutting blade provided with al cutting edge, said blade being mounted for limited free pivotal and lateral movement on said inner member, resilient means for maintaining the cutting edge of said blade in the blade disposed at an acute angle to said inner wall, and a second cutting blade similar to mounted similarly bination a frame, a hollowcylinder freely rotatable in said frame, the walls of said cylinder being very thin and provided with small perforations, and a cutting element provided with a cutting edge non-revolvably-pivoted to said frame and disposedv within said cylinder, said cutting element having its cutting edgeslidably engageable with the internal surface of said cylinder, whereby by moving the cylinder over the face of the user said cylinder is caused to revolve relatively to said cutting element while said cutting element moves with the frame without revolving.

7. A dry shaver'comprising a frame, a hollow cylindrical face engaging member mounted on said frame for free rotation about the axis of the tively to said second member and its cutting edge and said second member being held'to -the frame,

' whereby a relative movement will be effected bey tween the aforementioned cutting edges by traction as theframe is moved across and in engagement with the face.

8. A dry shaver device comprising in combination a frame, a hollow cylinder freely rotatable on said frame, the walls ofsaid cylinder being thin and provided with small perforations, a plural'ity of cutting blades pivotally carried by said 6 frame, spring means cooperating with each blade to hold its cutting edge in contact with the inner g surface of said cylinder, the cutting edges of the blades being spaced apart over a portion of said its cutting edge in contact with .the inner surface of said cylinder, one group ofsaid blades beingy Y angled'in one direction to present their edges in spaced apart relation overa portion of'said inner surface and another group being angled in an opposite direction to present their edges over another portion of said inner surface whereby upon rotation of the cylinder by traction as it is moved over the face in one direction the edges of one' group of blades will become active to shear hairs I- admitted through the perforations in the cylinder so as to be rotatable by traction as the frame is moved across the face and having hair admitting contact with the inner wall of said drum, with 25 openings therein, of a cutterassembly comprising opposed flanges carried by ,the frame and positioned within the cylindrical member with the u flangesinspaced relation longitudinally 'of' the cylinder, and a gbladepivotallymounted at its ends in said opposed flanges at a distance from said cylindrical member less than the width of the blade Iso that the blade edge may swing into 'A cutting relation to the inner surface of the cylindrical member.

1`l. In.a dry shaver the combination with a frame and a hollow cylindrical 'face engaging,

member mounted for free rotation onI said frame so as to berotatable by traction as the frame is moved across the face and having hair admitting 40 openings therein, of a cutter assembly comprising xopposed flanges carried by the frame and posi- 'tioned within the cylindrical member with the Aflanges in spaced relation longitudinally.l of the cylinder, and ar blade pivotally mounted at its ends in said opposed flanges at adistance from said cylindrical member less than the width of the blade so that the blade edge may swing into cutting relationv to the inner surfacev ofthe cylindrical member,` said assembly being removable 50 from and replaceable into the cylindrical member as a unit. l

l2. In a dry shaver the combination with a frame-"and a `hollow cylindrical face engaging member mounted for free rotationon said frame a so as to be rotatable by traction as the frame is moved across th face and having hair-admitting openings therein, of. a cutter assembly comprising vopposed flanges carried by the frame and positioned withinl the cylindrical member with the 0 flanges in spaced relation longitudinally of the cylinder, and a plurality of blades -each pivotally mounted at its ends in said opposed flanges at a ldistance from said cylindrical member less than the width of the blade so that its edge may swing into cutting relation to the inner surface of the cylindrical member, said pivots being circumferentiallyfspaced with relationto the inner surface of the cylindrical memberi'so that theblade.

edges shall engage said inner surface of the inner surface whereby upon rotation of the cylcylindrical member at spaced points.

will shear hairs admitted through the perforations v in the cylinder.

9. A 4dry shaver device comprising in combina- 75 moved across the face and having hair admitting 13. In a dry shaver the combination with a frame and a hollow cylindrical faceengaging openings therein, of a cutter assembly comprising opposed flanges carried by the frame and positioned within the cylindrical member with the flanges in spaced relation longitudinally of the cylinder, and a plurality of blades each pivotally mounted at its ends in said opposed flanges at a distance from said cylindrical member less than the width of the blade so that its edge may swing into cutting relation to the inner surface of the cylindrical member, said pivots being circumferentially spaced with relation to the inner surfaces of the cylindrical member' so that the blade edges shall engage said inner surface of the cylindrical member at spaced points, one group of said blades having the edges thereof presented to said cylindrical surface in one direction, and the other group of said blades having the edges thereof presented in the other direction, whereby one group will shear upon movement of the cylindrical member in one direction and the other group will shear upon movement of the cylindrical member` in the other direction.

14. In a dry shaver, the combination with a frame and a hollow cylindrical face engaging member mounted for free rotation on said frame so as to be rotatable by traction as the frame is moved across the face and having hair admitting openings therein, of a cutter assembly comprising a member received within the cylindrical member and held against rotation relatively to the frame, opposed spaced flanges extending out` wardly from said member, a blade pivoted at its ends in said flanges at a distance from said 'cylinrdrical member less than the width of the blade so that its edge can be freely swung into cutting relation to thev inner surface of the cylindrical member, and means carried by the member and engaging the blade to maintain the edge of the blade yielding in such cutting relation.

15. In a dry shaver, the combination with a sembly being removable from and replaceable into said cylindrical member as a unit.

16. In a dry shaver, the combination with a frame and a hollow cylindr cal face engaging v opposed spaced flanges extending outwardlyy from said member, a plurality of blades each pivoted at its ends in said flanges at a distance from said cylindrical member less than the width of the blade so that its edge can be freely swung into cutting relation to the Iinner surface of the cylindrical member, and means carried by the member and engaging the blade to maintain the edge of the blade yielding in such cutting relation, said pivots being ircumferentially spaced -with rela- ,tion to the inner surface of the cylindrical member so that the blade edges shall engage said inner surface of the cylindrical member at spaced points.

17. In a dry shaver, the combination with a frame and a hollow cylindrical face engaging member mounted for free rotation on said frame so as to be rotatable by traction as the frame is moved across the face andhaving hair admitting openings therein, of a cutter assembly comprising a member received within the cylindrical member and held against rotation relatively to the frame, opposed spaced flanges extending outframe and a hollow cylindrical face engaging member mounted for free rotation on said frame soas to be rotatable by traction as the frame is moved across the face and having hair admitting openings therein, of a cutter assembly comprising a member received within the cylindrical mem-Y ber and held againstv rotation relatively to the frame, 'opposed spaced flanges extending outwardly from said member, a blade pivoted at its ends in said flanges at a distance from said cylindrical member' less than the width of the blade so thatits edge can be freely swung into cutting relation to the inner surface of the cylindrical member, and means carried by the member and engaging the blade to maintain the edge of the blade yielding in such cutting relation, said aswardly from said member, a plurality of blades each pivoted at its ends in said flanges at a distance from said cylindrical member less than the width of the blade so that its edge can be freely swung into cutting relation to the inner surface of the cylindrical member, and means carried by the member and engaging the blade to maintain the edge of the blade yielding insuch cutting re` lation, said pivots being circumferentially spaced with relation to the inner surface of the cylindrical member so that the blade edges shall engage said inner surface of the cylindrical member at spaced points, one group of said blades having the edges thereof presented to said cylindrical surfacev in one direction, and another group of said blades having the edges thereof presentedfin the other direction, whereby one group will shear upon movement of the cylindrical member in one 

